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119-hr-9991119th Congress

STOP the SWAMP Act

Sponsored By: Representative McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

Introduced

Summary

Would strip pay and bar federal employees who refuse to answer Congress or are finally convicted of perjury. The bill would expand penalties for non-cooperation, create a two-tier debarment system, and set a timed joint-resolution process for rescinding a witness's salary and expenses.

Show full summary
  • Called witnesses could face a misdemeanor with fines of $100 to $1,000 and 1 to 12 months in jail and automatic debarment from federal employment.
  • Federal employees could be removed from civil service and have their salary and expense funding targeted through a congressional joint resolution.
  • Congress would get a defined procedure to rescind pay, including committee reporting and initial floor-vote deadlines of 15 days and 20 days.
  • Debarment decisions would be subject to judicial review, giving courts a check on removals.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

New penalties and debarment for witnesses

If enacted, the bill would punish a person who is summoned as a witness and appears but then refuses to answer a question relevant to the inquiry. That refusal would be a misdemeanor with a fine of $100 to $1,000 and jail from 1 to 12 months. The bill would also debar such a person from Federal employment. It would debar anyone who is "finally convicted" of perjury (including convictions with no pending appeals or where appeals are complete). Federal employees could also be removed from the civil service. Any debarment would be subject to judicial review.

Fast track to cut federal witness pay

If enacted, the bill would let any Member of either House introduce a privileged joint resolution to rescind funds used for the salary and expenses of a witness who is a Federal employee. The Member would have to file no later than 180 days after a statement of facts is certified to a U.S. attorney. The originating House Appropriations Committee would have 15 days to report recommendations. The first House would vote within 20 days. The other House would get 15 days in committee and 3 days on the floor. If the Houses disagree, conferees must be appointed and act quickly (conference action within 6 days after filing and agreement or reported disagreement within 15 days). The bill also defines which officers or committee leaders count as the "appropriate Member" to start this process.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

GA • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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